A multitude of souvenirs for the most gourmets
If you're a classicist, choose one of the country's two PDO honeys: Kocevje forest honey, with its lighter, more floral aroma, or Karst honey, with its more pronounced taste. As for condiments, special mention should be made of Piran salt, several hundred years old and still harvested by hand from the Strunjan and Sečovlje salt marshes. Istrian olive oils also have a few virtues and can be an original gift, although less so than pumpkin seed oil(bučno olje). Originally from Styria, its green color and dried fruit taste may surprise the uninformed tester. In addition to its taste, this oil has many medicinal virtues, particularly for the preservation of the digestive system. We prefer recognized labels such as Oljarna Kolarič or Domaine Passero. For information, 1 l of oil corresponds to around 3 kg of seeds from some 30 squashes.
For foreign wine lovers and/or collectors, Slovenia is a little paradise on earth, with a wide variety of often little-known grape varieties, depending on the region and its particular climatic conditions. All colors are present - red, white, rosé - and a new color has made its way into the country's fine cellars - orange wine.
Some exceptional craftsmanship
Slovenia has a remarkable culture of tradition and know-how transmission. Each historical region or municipality cultivates its own specific craft.
In the south-west of the country, traditional wooden objects known as suha roba have been made since the Middle Ages. This practice is now firmly rooted in local customs. Wooden toys, baskets and crockery can be found at the Ribnica craft market, which takes place every first Sunday in September and attracts some 500 exhibitors.
Further north, but still in the west,Idrija lace will fascinate you with its cult of precision. This activity, which began in the 17th century, was initially designed to maintain a certain economic activity. For women of the time, it was a way of supporting their husbands, most of whom worked in the Idrija mercury mine. Little by little, this domestic use became the subject of exponential demand. Idrija's lacemaking is unique in that it relies on the unprecedented use of seven pairs of bobbins. In response to its success, the municipality opened a school dedicated to the art of lacemaking in 1876, which is still in operation today and can be visited. In mid-July, the whole town puts on its finest pieces for the lace festival.
In the south of the country , Rogaška Slatina crystal is the local pride and joy. Rogaška Slatina has been producing crystal for over three centuries. In fact, the glassblower's workshop launched the beginnings of this craft, which underwent considerable industrialization in the 20th century. Today, the town's workshop is one of the largest in Europe, and its store is packed with top-of-the-range tableware. Visits are possible by prior arrangement.
Head east to Premurkje pottery, a traditional activity that has been popular since the 14th century. The famous black pottery is the pride of the region, although the number of potters (around 30) has been falling sharply in recent years.
Painted beehive panels(panjse koncnice), which are found throughout the country, serve as a visual landmark for beekeepers. This Slovenian practice dates back to the 18th century, when modern beekeeping emerged under the leadership of Anton Janša. The drawings often have a religious inspiration, but can also depict scenes from everyday, popular and rural life. An impressive collection of these painted beehive panels can be found in the Radovljica Museum. In recent years, this visual art has been the subject of an application for inclusion in UNESCO's intangible heritage list. You can buy decorative copies of these paintings by talented local artists.
Finally, for lovers of poetry, pisanice consists in decorating Easter eggs with drawings. The different colors are created using a variety of natural elements. There are three types of egg in Slovenia: Carniolan, Vrhnika and Prekmurje. Every year, an artistic competition is held at Ljubljana Castle to select the most beautiful egg.
The capital's markets are very colorful in the run-up to Easter, with the sale of butarica, traditional boughs with bright colors and branches that vary from region to region.
Products to follow
Without claiming to be exhaustive, which would be quite illusory, we can nonetheless highlight a few clever, up-to-the-minute objects and/or products whose craftsmanship is 100% Slovenian! The original cushions, bags and comforter covers offered by Bymiabags obviously fall into this category (www.bymiabags.com). The two sisters, illustrators by trade, entered this field with a particular focus on respect for the environment. For example, screen-printing is carried out directly in their home, and bed linen designs are printed locally. Drytide (www.drytidegear.com) is also a pioneer in its field, with the launch of a range of new-generation backpacks, guaranteed 100% waterproof and manufactured entirely in Slovenia. If we leave the world of decoration to teleport to the world of well-being, it would be regrettable to miss Dvorec Trebnik's organic cosmetics (www.trebnik.com/naravna-kozmetika), which have the advantage of being certified natural and designed with the invaluable assistance of a herbalist who will help visitors discover the virtues of each plant. A final detour into the high-tech world, where the Erzetich Audio brand (www.erzetich-audio.com) has made a name for itself with headphones acclaimed for their acoustic quality. It's up to you to decide whether their solid wood finish and high-end finish justify their high price tag.
Specialized stores for unique souvenirs
This short presentation is not intended to highlight the country's best specialty stores. It's more a question of highlighting the unique establishments we came across on our travels, with their proven artisanal approach, assiduous ethical values and virtuous environmental approach. To begin this overview, we can't fail to mention Smetumet. This Ljubljana-based boutique specializes in recycling and assembling waste materials to create original bags. On a more unusual note, if your umbrella has suffered heavy downpours or stormy winds, you can have it repaired at Deznik, a micro-boutique where Marija will try to put your makeshift headgear back on its feet, or offer you a new, sturdier one from her personal collection.
If you'd like to spread the word about Slovenia through the souvenirs you bring back to your loved ones, we've got a few addresses to share. First of all, if you're visiting the Bled region, don't miss the Mikame gallery, located on the main promenade, a small store brimming with the creations of local artisans. If you're more of a literary type, Trgovina Ika's stylish stationery should appeal to you. If you don't find what you're looking for here, take the next street over to Babushka Boutique, home to a whole host of design objects and decorative items, each more enchanting than the last. True artists will appreciate the small seaside workshops, such as Nika's in Piran, where she makes elegant tiny houses and her own postcards. If you're one of those who believe that art should be useful, take a look at the delicate and impressive work of Soap Art, which is brimming with works of art made from solid soap.
Those with a sweet tooth will want to stock up on olive oil in Koper at Olive Oil Morgan, a producer of quality oil with a protected designation of origin (PDO), which has won awards in several international competitions. A visit to the vineyards and wineries could be the subject of an entire chapter, such has been the development of the offer in recent years. To avoid an umpteenth enumeration, you can consult the list of the best sites on the page of the Slovenian tourist office. Finally, if you're an animal lover, and particularly a dog lover, the Slovenians won't let you leave without a Hov Hov canine pastry, guaranteed 100% natural and made in Slovenia.
